Thirsty? How about a nice glass of toilet water?

Nationwide, cities are seeking alternative water sources to replenish depleting supplies. One idea: Convert sewage into water that’s pure enough to drink.

Laura Dobbins

Will it be Perrier or toilet water?

Nationwide, cities are seeking alternative water sources to replenish depleting supplies. One idea: Convert sewage into water that’s pure enough to drink.

It’s not a new concept — and in California, it’s one that has been rejected before. Mainly because of what has been deemed the “yuck” factor.

But with the possibility of water shortages in California’s future, at least one city in the state, San Jose, is thinking about moving from toilet to tab.

"This is a homegrown resource. It is the most reliable supply you can have," Eric Rosenblum, division manager for San Jose's South Bay Water Recycling Project, said in an Associated Press report Tuesday.

San Jose water customers are serviced by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which gets half of its drinking water supplies from aquifers. The other half comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta, which has cut off some supplies in order to save a fish on the endangered species list.

The Orange County Water District is already taking the idea one step further. In November, Orange County officials will recycle up to 70 million gallons of waste water a day, then use it to recharge drinking water.

But not everyone is buying into the idea.

A few years ago, attempts to reintroduce purified wastewater into the aquifers and rivers for cities that draw their supplies from those sources was met by vehement opposition. A variety of citizens’ groups stalled projects in cities from San Diego to Tampa, Fla.

The recycled water, if treated properly, is good enough to drink, experts insist.

But some people are not convinced.

“It’s pyschological — a knee-jerk reaction,” according to the American Pyschological Association.

The Daily Independent

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